ABOUT
Meet the Director
Annaliese Dehner, a dedicated educator and passionate performer, has woven her lifelong love for teaching, and the arts into a remarkable journey. Graduating with honors in 2019 from UCF, she earned a degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Dance.
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Annaliese's multifaceted expertise shines brightly through her diverse roles. As a published writer and researcher in Leonard Bernstein's Elementary Arts Integration studies, she has delved into the intersection of creativity and education. Her commitment to excellence led her to become a certified Google Educator, while also mastering the nuances of the IB PYP curriculum and becoming an Artful Learning Method specialist.
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Her experience in performance and choreography form a rich tapestry of accomplishments. From a dynamic residency with the Nock Family Circus to crafting award-winning choreography that has graced numerous dance programs throughout Florida over the last 12 years, Annaliese's creative spirit is in perpetual motion. She has masterfully guided 5th-grade students in the classroom and directed the dance program at Midway Elementary School for the Arts, all while maintaining a professional dance/performance career.
Annaliese's boundless enthusiasm to cultivate young talents fuels her mission at DEA, where inclusivity takes center stage. Her vision is to foster an environment where artists of all kinds thrive and unveil their talents to the world.
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Beyond her professional endeavors, Annaliese finds solace and inspiration in paddle boarding, strumming tunes on her ukulele, embarking on adventures with her family, and showering her cherished cat Cleo with affection. With an infectious zest, she eagerly anticipates engaging with the Central Florida community, sharing her profound passion for the arts and dance in hands-on and impactful ways.
Our Instructors
At DEA we have a highly qualified team of educators ready to serve your child's individual needs.
Mr. Astro
Hip Hop, Acro, and Wellness
Mr. Astro, a Central Florida native, has dedicated over ten years to perfecting the art of dance, tumbling, and stunting. His impressive career features performances for prestigious organizations like the NAACP and McDonald’s PR events, and he has made his mark in the competitive hip hop cypher scene. Known for his vibrant passion and commitment to life, health, and wellness, Mr. Astro has seamlessly transitioned from performer to educator, bringing his extensive experience and infectious energy to teaching and coaching.
Outside the studio, Mr. Astro is a dynamic individual with a diverse set of interests. He spends his time in the gym, capturing beautiful moments as a wedding photographer, and finding peace through meditation. With a deep-rooted enthusiasm for inspiring others, Mr. Astro is thrilled to join DEA and is eager to make a meaningful impact on his students, sharing his love for movement and personal growth.
Ms. Lola
Contemporary
Ms. Lola Grace is a dancer from Sanford, Florida. She danced competitively for over 10 years and during this time she also trained in gymnastics, aerial arts, and contortion. She has trained under people such as Angelica Stiskin, the artistic director of Joffrey’s Jazz & Contemporary program, Austen Acevedo, a former dancer with Houston Ballet, and Struther White, a well known choreographer and dancer in the industry. She has also been an assistant for dance conventions and to Carlos Garland and Marisa Dolan, she is also apart of their apprentice program DAP. Her specialties are jazz, contemporary, ballet, street jazz, and acrobatics. She is very happy to bring her passion into the DEA den!
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Mrs. T
Thom Lake
Acting
Ballet
Thom, a distinguished graduate of The North Carolina School of the Arts and trained with The Joinery Ballet, has captivated audiences around the world with his extraordinary talent. With a decade of professional ballet experience, he has graced stages across the U.S., Mexico, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Asia, bringing elegance and emotion to each performance. Renowned for his role as the featured adagio performer in the iconic “Jubilee” and “Follies Bergere” in Las Vegas, Thom has also made notable appearances in TV and film, including “Rent,” “Mystery Men,” “The Affair of the Necklace,” “The Drew Carey Show,” and “The Closer.”
As a former teacher of Miss Annaliese, Thom is overjoyed to continue the tradition of ballet at DEA, where he brings his wealth of experience and passion to inspire the next generation of dancers.
Nikki Ortiz-Tatarka is thrilled to be a part of the DEA Teaching Staff. She is currently a middle school theatre teacher and director in the Seminole County Public Schools. Prior to teaching at the middle school level, Nikki taught theatre for kindergarten through 5th grade students after spending the previous 13 years as an Early Childhood and Elementary grade level teacher. She is an Arts Integration specialist and advocate, presenting on the importance of integrating the arts into academic learning to school districts and to educators from all over the country through her work with Get Your Teach On. Nikki is also a life-long performer, having begun as a dancer at the age of two. Through amazing arts educators, she found a love for singing and acting as well, which she continued to do through college. Nikki knows how impactful the arts can be on a child's life. She is thrilled to share her love of the arts with the artistic engineers of DEA!
Mrs. Rachel
Art
Ms. Rachel is originally from Ohio and relocated to Central Florida 10 years ago. She has been passionate about art of all forms from a very young age. She went to Columbus College of Art & Design and got her bachelor's degree in Advertising and Graphic Design. She has been teaching art in Middle and now Elementary school in Volusia County for 4.5 years. She has been teaching summer art camps for the past 4 summers as well. Ms. Rachel loves all art styles but has a true passion for Watercolor art, graphic design, murals and crafting.
Outside the studio Ms. Rachel loves spending time with her husband and furry child. She likes to spend her time traveling, going to the beach, and exploring. She is an avid reader but loves to bing a good TV series too. Enjoys crafting and crocheting; especially with her mother-in law. Spending time with family & friends is very important to her. She will always take you up on a shopping trip, trying a new restaurant, grabbing a coffee or seeing a movie.
She is very excited to bring her creative passion and love for all forms of Art & Crafting to Dehner Elite Arts!
Originally from the Queens, New York, Cassey has been a proud Florida resident for the past five years. Trained in all areas of dance, Cassey’s true passion lies in hip hop, where she thrives and loves to share her skills with students. When she’s not in the studio, you’ll likely find her enjoying the beautiful Florida beaches or spending quality time with her friends. Cassey is excited to be part of our team and looks forward to bringing her energetic style and love for dance to every class!
Ms. Cassey
Hip Hop
Ms. Kayla
Acro, Aerial Acro
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Born amidst the vibrant energy of Miami, Kayla began her entertainment career at just twelve years old and has captivated audiences for over 28 years. Her impressive journey includes stints as a celebrated Cirque alum with Soliel, Ingenieux, Magnifque, and Nouveau, as well as a show-stopping thrill artist with the renowned Nock Family Circus. From soaring on various aerial apparatuses to performing daring motorcycle high wire acts, Kayla’s diverse talents are complemented by unique training in character development.
Kayla’s passion for innovation led her to establish 'Aerialfusion,' a production company that merged creativity and imagination to create gravity-defying performances. Although she no longer lives on her sailboat, Kayla remains passionate about the water and enjoys paddleboarding in her free time.
Now, Kayla is thrilled to collaborate with former protege Annaliese Dehner at 'Dehner Elite Arts.' Together, they embark on a new chapter, redefining artistic expression and mentoring the next generation of performers. Kayla’s journey is a powerful story of transformation, adventure, and unwavering dedication, inspiring others to chase their dreams with courage and enthusiasm
Elli Chipps
Instructor
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Elli Chipps, a college student from Central Florida, is a dedicated dancer and performer with a deep passion for tap dance. Her talent has been highlighted in several commercials, showcasing her vibrant energy and skill. Outside of her performance career, Elli enjoys spending time at the beach, catching movies with friends, and exploring new experiences. She also volunteers at local schools, sharing her love for dance and inspiring young students. Elli is thrilled to bring her enthusiasm and expertise to teaching at DEA, where she finds joy in guiding and inspiring the next generation of dancers.
Ms. Savannah
Ms. Savannah is a born and raised Floridian. She grew up in Deltona and started dancing at the age of 4 at Deltona Dance Academy. She was trained in a variety of styles, including ballet, pointe, acro, tap, jazz, lyrical, and hip hop and was on the Sensations Performance Team where she did community performances, parades, and competitions. She was also on her middle school dance team and her high school dance team, the Pine Ridge High Pantherettes. In her years on Pantherettes she trained under different choreographers and did multiple dance assessments and competitions. She has also performed in a production of CATS put on by Athens Theatre. She also has sang in choir since high school and continues singing with her church. Her most memorable performing experiences were going with UDA to dance in London for their London New Year’s Day Parade and going on a choir tour in Italy with her university choir! She has a passion for performing, especially dance, her favorite being tap! She’s excited to be part of Dehner Elite Arts and share her passion with the young artists!
Tap
Mr. Kenny
Chorus and Music
With a passion for music and performance that spans over a decade, Kenny brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the classroom. He has worked with students of all ages, cultivating vocal technique, harmony, and stage presence while fostering a love for singing in every student he meets.
Kenny holds a degree in Music Education from Rollins College and has performed in a variety of professional and community music settings. While his primary focus is music, in general, Kenny is a percussionist at heart and enjoys playing a wide range of instruments. He also plays the saxophone and incorporates his diverse musical skills into his teaching to give students a well-rounded understanding of music.
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In addition to his work at DEA, Kenny directs the band program at Seminole High School in Sanford, FL, where he leads students in both instrumental and vocal performances. His vast experience with both choir and band allows him to bring a unique perspective to every musical project.
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Kenny believes in the power of music to bring people together and is committed to creating a positive, collaborative atmosphere in the classroom where each student feels supported and inspired to grow. Whether he's leading warm-ups, harmonizing with his students, or helping them find their unique voice, Mr. Kenny’s energy and passion for music are contagious.